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Epsom-based crafter and fundraiser, Annette Emery, has successfully completed her fundraising challenge for The Sunnybank Trust.
After speaking to CEO, Dorothy Watson, Annette and her husband Dick, a regular volunteer at the charity’s weekly social club, realised that Sunnybank’s club members could greatly benefit from sensory room equipment. So Annette set herself the challenge to fundraise for equipment to create a pop-up sensory room.
Sunnybank works with adults with learning disabilities, and their weekly social club is attended by people with varying levels of disability. Some club members have profound and multiple learning disabilities (PMLD), and while anyone can benefit from a sensory room, it will have most impact on those with more severe learning disabilities. People with PMLD often experience and interact with the world differently to most people, and having a range of sensory input to interact with can help them engage with the world around them. Therefore, having sensory equipment available every week at Sunnybank will make a huge difference.
Annette raises money for a variety of charities in the local area through sales of her handmade jewellery. The Sunnybank Trust are lucky enough to be one of the charities she supports in this way. Going a step further, Annette decided to organise and run a craft fair this year, as part of her fundraising. She brought together local crafters for a day of fundraising for Sunnybank, ultimately raising over £200 in one afternoon from cookie and jewellery sales.
Speaking about her fundraising and jewellery, Annette said, “‘I really enjoy my hobby and other people seem to like what I create, so it seems natural to put the two together to raise money for charities I care deeply about.”
Dorothy Watson, CEO of The Sunnybank Trust, said, “Annette is a fantastic fundraiser and we are very grateful for her passion for Sunnybank. Being able to provide a sensory space for our club members makes a tremendous difference to some of the most marginalised people in our community. We’ve wanted to provide such a space for some time and Annette’s fundraising has made our dream a reality.”
At the opening of the pop-up sensory space at Kites Club the room proved to be very popular. One club member said, “I’m really glad we can have this every week. I wish I could have something like this in my flat. It makes me feel really calm.”
Everyone at The Sunnybank Trust is incredibly proud of Annette and dedication towards supporting Sunnybank.
About Annette -
Annette Emery is an Epsom-based craft-person. She hand-makes gemstone jewellery and donates her profits to local charities, including The Sunnybank Trust. To see Annette’s work, or to commission a piece of handmade jewellery you can visit Annette’s website: www.facebook.com/annettes.gemstone.jewellery
The Sunnybank Trust is based in Epsom and helps people with learning disabilities live fuller lives and enable them to have more control over decisions that affect them.
The charity provides -
Website: www.sunnybanktrust.org
Facebook: www.facebook.com/sunnybanktrust
Twitter: @SunnybankEpsom
JustGiving: www.justgiving.com/thesunnybanktrust
For more information contact Rachel Henderson ( rachelhenderson@sunnybanktrust.org ) or Dorothy Watson ( dorothywatson@sunnybanktrust.org ) on 01372749871.
